terprise confer? And, as my imagination and thought carried me even beyond these scenes, so grateful and inspiring, I seemed to behold, in the far distant vista, similar communities every where extending; nor could I forget that, as they were to spread farther and farther into the remotest prairies, there was a pillar of light which would always go before their path-that wherever they should rest, a provident forecast had already prepared the spot, in which the school-house and the college were to connect, with the form and exercise of government, the dissemination and influence of social, political, and religious truth.

If we love the institutions of our country, as which of us does not; if we believe them, indeed, to be the world's best hope; if we are to preserve, nay, to enlarge them, in their true spirit, as an example and alluring beacon to hopeful and trusting men, throughout the world; then must we all-union, and states, and cities, and individuals—strive to further the progress, in every form, of general and enlightened education. Above all, when we behold the school-house and the college travelling onwards, and preceding the march of industrious enterprise ; when we see them every where planted by hands withdrawn, not without difficulty, from the pressing exigencies of frontier life; when we recognize, at every moment, the abundant reward they have conferred; then, indeed, must those portions of our common country, to which time, and accumulated

population and resources have brought far ampler means, apply themselves, with more than zeal, to the discharge of this, the first duty which they owe to the age in which we live, and to that beneficent Providence which has conferred such blessings, not for themselves alone, but that they may so appreciate and use them, as to further the common welfare of all our race.

Is it vain to believe, that by our own community this will be joyfully and generously done? Nay, that from these halls, where we are now assembled, enlightened intelligence shall always emanate, not less widely or successfully than it has spread from seats the most chosen of learning and of science. Indeed, this, our duty, is imposed upon us in a double trust-imposed, as it is hallowed, by patriots the most illustrious in the annals of Pennsylvania -her Penn and her Franklin. If we honor that name which, first in the legislation of mankind, was affixed to the glorious statutes that combined, in the foundation of a State, universal suffrage, unrestrained right of religious belief, abolition of privileges of birth in property and in government, the exercise of the popular will in the selection of officers civil and judicial, and, indeed, the careful protection of every political and social right; do not let us forget that it was also affixed to the charter of a public seminary. Before the primeval forests were cleared from the site of Philadelphia, a school-house of rude

logs of pine and cedar was already sheltered by their boughs. If, indeed, our Commonwealth does regard her founder-to advert to the language of his prejudiced and querulous historian-"with a reverence similar to that which the Romans felt for Quirinus ;" it may well lead us to recall an incident by which that reverence was shown. When, after the lapse of centuries, the little village on the Tiber had become the mistress of the world, the straw-roofed cottage of Romulus was still proudly and piously preserved, beside the towering and golden Capitol, and in the midst of temples, and arches, and columns, the trophies of her boundless empire. If our little school-house of logs exists not now, yet not less well may our reverence be shown for the founder of our republic, if the spot where in his day it stood, shall be as it needs but ourselves to make it a home of letters, and a centre from which education and intelligence shall diffuse their happiest influence. Nor let us less remember that, at a later day, he whom, by common consent, we place, in the history of our commonwealth, second alone to Penn, whose philanthropy, wisdom, energy and public spirit, so many of our institutions record, labored with peculiar zeal to establish this, our College; and when at last the grateful task was accomplished, proclaimed in his letters, page after page, his anxious interest for its progress, his confident hope of its continued in

crease and success.

How shall we answer to the memories of these men, so illustrious, if, after so many years gone by, the trust, thus left to us by them, has not been faithfully discharged? If, while population, and commerce, and wealth, and prosperity have increased, far beyond all that their expectations could foresee; and our city has gained a merited fame for works of charity and domestic usefulness, it presents not a College that might answer to the hopes of Franklin and of Penn? What can be more honorable than to follow in their footsteps? What is more to be coveted than praise which is won by efforts to render such an institution worthy of its founders-worthy of the city it might adorn, and the renown it might readily reach. These efforts, it is true, may require from those of us who are not without opportunity to make them, some of that devotion-nay, even some of that personal labor and exertion, which benefactors like Penn and Franklin were always ready and happy to bestow on works of public usefulness; but would they not give to such devotion and zeal their abundant reward, alike in the distinction brought to our city, and in the consciousness of so great a benefit conferred on a community of which we are a part? Nor is this all. To such exertions, those around us are sure willingly to respond. Generously will they second, and abundantly will they honor efforts directed to objects so disinterested, attractive and beneficent.

Do we not see college after college winning envied distinction, not alone in states long settled, but in those that are the growth of yesterday? Do we not witness their names, their schools, their discoveries, and the zeal of those connected with them, already made conspicuous in the ranks of letters and science? Are they not hailed with favoring notice among the learned and observant of other countries, as well as our own? And does not the anxious question press upon our thoughts-what is to be the station of our own University among them? The answer is at hand. If it is true to the opportunities it possesses, to its founders, and to the community of which it should be the pride; if its own sons, and those intrusted with its care, are faithful to their mission, then will it be surpassed by none in usefulness and fame.

No! when science and letters, and the cause of universal truth are pressing onward, as they now are, with all the ardor of our age, our college must not be forgetful of its noble origin; it must not be wanting in the honorable contest;

Non Memmi clara propago,

Talibus in rebus communi deesse saluti.

When all around us, astronomy is disclosing new secrets of the universe, and electricity is speaking from pole to pole in the language of light, surely we will not let it be forgotten that this is the college of Rit